Yoga, Pilates, and Barre: Which is right for you?
Yoga, Pilates, and barre are all low-impact workouts that can all help to improve your flexibility, balance, and posture while strengthening muscles to prevent the risk of injury. While there are some similarities between these three, they each have distinct qualities.
If you're considering trying yoga, Pilates, or barre class and wondering which is the best choice, it pays to know the key differences. Keep reading below to learn more about each, and visit Sheehan Personal Training in Mansfield, MA, to take a class!
Feel Grounded With Yoga
Yoga is a total mind and body workout. It requires flowing through a set of exercises while using the breath to focus the mind. The practice originated in India, and there are many different styles of yoga. From dynamic Vinyasa yoga to gentle and restorative yin, it is an excellent option for everyone.
Yoga is excellent as a standalone practice and complementing your existing workout routine. According to the American Osteopathic Association, yoga can increase strength and flexibility while decreasing the risk of injury. The therapeutic nature of yoga can positively impact your overall well-being as well, with the Mayo Clinic highlighting that yoga practice could potentially enhance your mood.
Strengthen Your Core With Pilates
Created by German gymnast Joseph Pilates, the origin is based on rehabilitation and building strength. Pilates consists of controlled, sustained exercises that concentrate on form rather than reps. The fundamentals of Pilates are stabilizing the spine and pelvis, activating the abdominals, and using equipment to build resistance or tension.
In a typical Pilates class, you'll perform a series of simple, repetitive exercises emphasizing the abdominals, lower back, hips, thighs, and glutes. You'll find yourself focusing on smaller movements that require you to stabilize your back and core to complete the exercises. With that being said, Pilates can always be modified to suit everyone.
Build Muscular Endurance With Barre
Barre is based on a movement style by dancer Lotte Berk and combines ballet-inspired movements with functional strength exercises. Think of barre as a fusion of Pilates, classical ballet, and stretching. You'll use just the barre or a sturdy chair for support and small weights or tension bands to add resistance — the goal is to work the muscles to the point of fatigue.
As a low-impact exercise, barre delivers similar benefits to yoga and Pilates. This includes enhanced flexibility, posture, and activated core muscles. The critical difference is a barre workout teaches muscular control and endurance, specifically in the hips and shoulders, while integrating core stability.
Get Started With Sheehan Personal Training
Whether you love the flow of yoga, Pilates control, or barre work's technical aspect, you can't go wrong by incorporating these low-impact exercises into your workout schedule. Commit to at least one of these weekly classes, and you'll see improved strength, balance, and flexibility! At Sheehan Personal Training, we have both group classes and semi-private training sessions for you to get the most out of your workout. Get started today by contacting us.